Illegal logging constitutes a grave threat to biodiversity. (Illustration photo: RoyLuck/flickr.com)

The global environmental crisis and rising authoritarianism are two of the most pressing challenges we face.

Despite overwhelming evidence about the impact of humans on the environment, and unprecedented international consensus on the need for urgent action, the world has so far failed to take adequate steps to avert this crisis.

At the same time, democracy itself is under threat. The recent US-led Summit for Democracy aimed to galvanise action across the democratic world in response to creeping authoritarianism.

In this context, democratic governments must lead societies towards accelerated technological and behavioural transformation that leaves no one behind. Failure to respond effectively to the climate and environmental crisis risks worsening the already falling public confidence in the ability of democratic governments to deliver for citizens.

Democratic governments need to ensure that democracy delivers worldwide, both for citizens today and for future generations.

This conference explored how we can get to work.

David Aled Williams

Principal Adviser (U4) and Senior Researcher (CMI)